The long road home 22.., p.1
The Long Road Home 22 - Home Changes, page 1
part #22 of The Long Road Home Series
HOME CHANGES
THE LONG ROAD HOME
BOOK TWENTY-TWO
KRIS MICHAELS
Copyright © 2025 by Kris Michaels
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
Also By Kris Michaels
About the Author
CHAPTER 1
Seth Hansen adjusted the leash at his side as he approached the Airline Special Services counter near the North Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson. Gomer’s retirement orders were freshly printed and crisp in the folder tucked beneath his arm, and the large black German Shepherd sitting obediently at his heel drew quiet stares from travelers.
“Ma’am,” he said when the people in front of him moved away from the counter, handing over the travel orders and information for his partner. “I’m the handler for MWD Gomer. He’s PCS-ing to his retirement in South Dakota.”
Gomer had been a military working dog for years in the Air Force, and Seth had been the kennel master when Gomer came on duty. That, of course, was before Seth had been promoted and started shuffling paperwork for his major command. The higher his rank, the farther he moved from the MWDs. But he kept his ear to the ground and his eyes open. Six months after he’d retired, he’d discovered Gomer was being retired due to arthritis in his hips. Seth had jumped at the chance to adopt Gomer and give him a forever home. He’d known exactly who to contact, and within a month, Gomer had officially been his. As a final thank you for Seth and Gomer’s service, the MWD was given retirement orders to cover the cost of his transportation to South Dakota. Not that Seth cared. He would’ve paid any price to have this special dog at his side.
The agent, a middle-aged woman with weary eyes and a practiced smile, took the documents and began typing.
Seth handed her the folder. “I’ve got his medical clearance, crate specs, and transfer authorization,” Seth added, giving Gomer a reassuring pat behind the ear. The crate was on a trolley behind them.
The woman was efficient and motioned for the skycap to bring the large crate over. Seth slipped the guy a ten-spot and turned back to the woman, who printed and applied cargo labels to the crate. Turning back to him, she lifted a finger. “Give me a minute, sir.” She tapped on the computer and shook her head. “I hate to be the one to say it, but all outbound flights to the Midwest are on hold because a massive weather system over Denver has caused cascading delays.” She tapped a few more keys and looked up. “It’ll be hours. Realistically, it could be six or more.” She almost winced when she told him. “I’m sorry.”
He cocked his head. “You can’t control the weather.” He glanced down at Gomer. “I’m not going to put him in a crate until I have to.”
“I understand,” the woman said. “It wouldn’t be kind.” She handed him a map and circled an area. “Here’s the best area where you can go outside quickly and let him relieve himself. We’ve worked through our fair share of delays and learned that most handlers won’t release their dogs until the last minute.” She smiled at him. “Unlike some others. I’ve seen all kinds.” She shrugged.
Seth nodded and clenched his jaw. He’d also seen his share of people who shouldn’t own an animal. He tightened the leash, but the dog didn’t react, just sat like a stone, waiting for his next command. “Roger that, I know exactly what you mean,” Seth said quietly, calculating his next move. He blinked and snapped his gaze back to her. “Is the USO still open?”
The woman looked at her watch. “It is. Do you know where it is?”
“I do. Been through here many times. Thank you, and we’ll be back as soon as we have a firm departure time.”
“If you give me your number, I’ll text you when we get the clearance to start loading. That would give you enough time to get through security before you board, but you’d have to hustle to your gate.”
“I’m not adverse to a jog through the airport.” Seth smiled at her as he told her his number.
She wrote it down on Gomer’s documents. “If the delay lasts past my shift, I’ll ensure my relief understands to contact you.”
“Thank you.” He looked down at Gomer. “Heel.” The animal moved instantly, walking at Seth’s heel with no room between the dog’s shoulder and his leg. He waited for people to clear the escalator before lifting Gomer and stepping onto the moving metal. Gomer was a solid eighty-five pounds, and none of it was fat. He was a King Shepherd, tall and almost lanky. When Seth stepped off the escalator, he carried the dog away from the exit before putting him down safely. Gomer’s tongue lashed him with a wet kiss as soon as his feet hit the ground.
Laughing, Seth wiped off the affection. “You’re such a goober.” He ruffled Gomer’s scruff and let the dog relax for a moment. After a brief pause, Seth waited for a break in the flow of people before he and Gomer headed toward the USO. Maybe he could find a quiet corner for Gomer to relax and chill. Lord knew he needed the downtime before returning to South Dakota. His father’s decline was more than enough for Seth to put his plans on hold and move back home to ensure the old man didn’t get into more trouble.
He'd only been there a week when he’d gotten the call to pick up Gomer. Ken, the sheriff in the county, and his deputies were taking turns checking in on Chester, making sure he didn’t cause any trouble. The man was cantankerous even on his best days. On a bad day, well, he was pure hell to be around. But Chester had worked hard all his life, giving Seth and his sister Sarah a strong ethical upbringing, even though his old man had never hugged them, told them he loved them, or said it to their mom. God rest her soul. She was a saint. Seth would never be a saint, but he’d be a good son and figure out how to get his dad the help he needed. Hopefully.
He approached the USO sign-in desk, and the woman behind it smiled widely. Her dark hair and brilliant smile made her seem ageless, but he’d peg her in her late forties. Maybe. It was hard to tell.
“Welcome.” She stepped out and leaned down. “Hi, Gomer, how have you been, boy?”
Seth frowned, absolutely confused. “How did you …”
The woman flicked her hand at him, dismissing his question. “Oh, Gomer was through here last year. He and his handler were coming back from a deployment. Weren’t you, big boy?”
Gomer’s tail swished, but the dog didn’t move, although Seth could tell he wanted to. “Yes you were.” She smiled widely.
He watched as the woman held out her hand, and Gomer dropped his head into it. She stroked his head with the other, saying, “I told you, didn’t I? You got a forever home.” She leaned forward and kissed Gomer’s nose.
“What?” Seth asked her.
“Oh, nothing, just a conversation Gomer and I had last year.” The woman stood up. “Heading to South Dakota?”
Seth blinked, and his mouth opened and then closed. “Ah, yeah, how did you know?”
The woman nodded to his shirt pocket. “Ticket.”
He glanced down and looked at the paper ticket the agent at the Special Services Counter had given him to claim Gomer at the end of their flight. “Oh.”
“Sign in, and we’ll get you set up in the library. It’s quiet there, and you and Gomer can relax without families and kids wanting to pet him. Even though I’m not worried about him, some kids can get grabby.”
“Thanks, that would be appreciated. He’s obedient but hasn’t been exposed to many children, and the old guy might get cranky.” Seth reached down and ruffled his scruff again. Gomer looked up, his tongue lolling to the side, and Seth laughed. “Such a goober.”
The woman laughed. “The best goober. You know I have a very good friend. Her name is Kate Wells. She’s a vet in a small town called Hollister. She used to work with MWDs as an Army vet. Her husband, Tegan, is a rancher up there.”
“Hollister?” Seth’s voice hit a register he didn’t know he could hit. Gomer was immediately on alert.
She cocked her head. “You know Hollister?”
“I’m going there. I grew up there. I know Tegan. He was a couple of years younger than me. If I recall right, he was a quiet guy.”
“That sounds like him.” The woman extended her hand. “My name is Blessing.” Seth took her hand and shook it. “Let’s get you back and settled.” She looked around. “You don’t have a bag?”
“Just my backpack. I flew in yesterday, and I’m flying out today.” His small pack held Gomer’s papers, a change of clothes, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant, plus a bag of treats for Gomer. Traveling light was a thing.
“No laptop or business equipment?” Blessing asked as she walked him inside.
“Nope. Just retired and have some family obligations to pigeonhole before I start working again.”
Blessing stopped and looked at him. “You want to pigeonhole your dad?”
“What? How did you know I was talking about my dad?”
“It was either that or your mom, and I didn’t think anyone would say that about their mom.” Blessing cocked her head. “You know, his being so grumpy might not be his fault. You should get him checked out medically.”
“What?” It was the only word he seemed to know at the moment. Seth stopped and stared at the woman, who gave him a brilliant smile. “A good physical never hurt anyone, has it?” She turned and walked away. Seth stared at her until she looked over her shoulder and said, “Are you coming?”
“Yeah.” He cleared his throat, and he and Gomer followed her into the back, where a vacant room had a couch and two chairs. He took the chair in the corner, instructed Gomer to lie down beside it, and took off his backpack. “This is fantastic. Thank you.”
“No problem. I’ll bring four more travelers back here, but they’ll all be military or recently separated and won’t cause a problem for you or Gomer.” She turned to walk away but stopped and looked back at him. “I’m glad you’re going home with him. You both need a permanent place to live.”
Seth frowned and started to respond that Hollister wasn’t his permanent home and never would be, but she’d walked out of the room. He glanced down at Gomer. “Did you get the woo-woo vibe?” Gomer rolled over on his side and groaned. Seth nodded. “Yeah, me, too.”
After wrapping the leash around his leg, he leaned back in the chair and stroked Gomer’s fur, letting the act soothe away the worry that had been constant since he’d seen his father. Alzheimer’s was a bitch of a disease. His father’s short-term memory was crap, and he was even more gruff and argumentative than the deputy who’d called his sister had led them to believe.
About thirty minutes later, Blessing was back. “Seth, this is Tyler Marconi, recently retired from the Army. He’ll be on a flight north to Montana.”
“If it ever leaves,” Tyler said as he extended his hand toward Seth, putting Gomer immediately on alert.
“It’s okay, bud,” Seth said reassuringly to his dog as he took Tyler’s hand and shook it.
“He’s wearing an MWD harness,” Tyler said, pointing out the obvious.
Seth chuckled. “Yep. He’s going to South Dakota with me. He’s retired, too.”
Tyler smiled briefly and glanced at his phone.
“I’ll let you two settle and be back shortly,” Blessing said before leaving with a smile.
“Montana home for you?” Seth asked as Tyler sat down on the couch. Gomer sat up and stared at Tyler.
“Yeah. Is it okay to pet him?” He nodded toward Gomer.
“Sure. His name is Gomer,” Seth said, watching the interaction between the two of them. Tyler extended his hand for Gomer to smell, which he did. Then Tyler stroked his head, and Gomer’s mouth opened, his tongue lolling out.
Tyler smiled. “He’s beautiful.”
“And getting up there in age. He has some hip issues, but we’ll get him on some preventive supplements and maybe some meds to keep him healthy and comfortable.” He was going to look up Tegan’s wife as soon as he could.
Tyler glanced at his phone and dropped it on his lap, still petting Gomer.
“Everything okay?” Seth asked.
Tyler glanced at him and then focused on Gomer, petting him as he spoke. “My gramps … the last of my family … he's in the hospital, and they say he doesn't have long. I was in the middle of out-processing from Fort Moore when I got the call.”
“Shit, dude, I'm sorry. They'll get the flights going soon. If we’re on the same flight, I’ll make sure you get a seat even if I have to give up mine.” He wouldn’t be able to pull Gomer out of his checked status, but there were a few things he’d make that sacrifice for, and one of them was saying goodbye to your family. It was why he was returning to Hollister to help with his dad. Family was important, even if it was dysfunctional.
“She said I'd make it.” Tyler looked at him for a split second before adding, “Blessing. I didn't say anything to her, but she seemed to know and said I'd make it in time.”
Seth nodded. “She seems to know a lot that no one tells her. Trust that feeling in your gut. I plan on it.” He would take his dad for a checkup, even if he had to hogtie him and tumble him in the bed of his truck to get him there.
Tyler’s phone rang, and the man jumped up like his ass was on fire, then walked out while answering the phone. Seth reached down and stroked Gomer. “It’s okay, bud. He’s just worried. I know that feeling.”
He watched Tyler pacing back and forth as he talked on the phone before finally disconnecting and heading back into the room.
“Everything okay?”
Tyler nodded and sat back down. “Still good. I have some time. Not much, but some.” His hand went to Gomer’s back, and he started petting the dog again. Seth watched as Gomer moved a bit closer and looked up at Tyler. The dog sensed the man’s worry better than Seth ever could. Gomer was exactly what the man needed. Seth had been there and done that. When his mom had taken ill and he was deployed, his dog at the time, Bronx, was the thing that had kept him sane. Dogs knew shit humans would never understand.
Seth wished like hell he had some magic words to say to help the guy out. But dealing with death and older parents sucked more than just about anything. He was finding that out with a crash course in dementia and Alzheimer's. He’d read just about every article he could. Some new medicines delayed the process, but it was a slow and deadly killer. He hated that for his old man. Chester had never needed anything from anyone. He was fiercely independent, and that was a point of pride for his father.
Blessing walked in with her arm linked through that of another man. “Seth and Tyler, this is Codwell Drakos, he goes by Code. He’s a retired Army Colonel.”
Code made a face. “Lieutenant Colonel, and that’s just a rank, not who I am.” He reached out a hand to both Seth and Tyler.
Seth shook his hand, and Gomer sneezed, drawing attention to where he was lying between the chair and the couch.
Code looked at Gomer and asked, “What do we have here?”
Tyler chuckled and replied, “A dog, sir.” Seth couldn’t help the laugh that fell from him at Tyler’s comeback.
Code belted out a laugh, too. “Okay, I deserved that.”
Blessing patted Code on the arm. “I’ll be back shortly. I have two more for this room. They’re running a bit late.”
Code sat down and asked, “Where are you two heading?”
Seth and Tyler replied, and they visited for about a half an hour before Blessing came back into the room with the last two men. “Gentlemen, may I introduce Dean Sinclair and Noah Ziegler?” She turned to the newcomers and introduced the others. “This is Tyler Marconi, retired Army, heading to Montana. Seth Hansen, who’s heading to South Dakota with his newly adopted and retired MWD Gomer. And this is Code Drakos, who’s heading to Tennessee. So, now that you’re all acquainted, can I get you anything?”
“No, ma’am.” Seth smiled at her. Damn, she was a live wire, that one.
“No, thank you,” Tyler said, his voice tight.
“We’re good,” Code added.
“Okay. Then off I go. I’ve got three more coming to check in. They’ll be here any second now.” Everyone turned toward the registration desk as if they expected to see people, but there was no one at the desk … until there was. Three people, just as Blessing had said. Yeah, woo-woo. She had to have the gift. His mom had talked about it as if it were a real thing. His father had told her she was insane, but his mom had had insights that normal people didn’t. Blessing? She was freakishly gifted.
He shifted his attention to Dean, who was gripping his phone just as tight as Tyler was. “Everything all right?” Seth asked, tipping his chin toward the cell gripped in Dean’s fist.
Dean grabbed his duffel and groaned aloud at the dog handler’s question.
“Yeah. All good. Just my mother checking on when I’m getting in. Funny, though. That lady at the desk was dead on when she guessed it was Mom.”
Noah’s brow rose. “You know what’s really funny? She just dumped a whole bunch of personal shit on me that was dead on, too.” Seth didn’t hear much more than that, but he knew exactly who they were talking about.
